Make Modern Triangles member spotlight is shining on Cathy H. today! She describes herself as a “new(ish) quilter” who enjoys a mixture of quilty styles and especially likes the freezer paper piecing method for modern triangle quilts. Cathy shared a pic from the recent Festival of Quilts at the NEC, Birmingham UK.
You read that right!
It might surprise you that many of our Make Modern Triangles members are new(ish) to quilting. For some, the 2022 Sparkler BOM is their very first quilt top ever!
Yup.
When the quilt world opens up to you, it’s a MOMENT and Cathy is having her TA-DA moment!
Modern triangle quilts captivate many experienced quilters and sewists, however, our newer-to-quilting members also make great progress. Isn’t it ALL about progress? We all learn together and are better together wherever we start from.
Our quilting journeys don’t start in the same place or follow the same path. Cathy has made many fun projects aside from quilting. Whatever got you here, you’re in modern triangle country now! Yeeeee-ha!
I’m excited and goosebumpy about Cathy’s progress and her confidence to keep moving forward. You’ve got this, Cathy!
QUILTING FAVES AND NOT-SO-FAVES
What is your favorite quilt make of all time?
My Little Matryoshka is the first one I made all by myself following the completion of my first ever BOM with a subscription here in the UK. I adore Russian dolls and when I found this fabric I knew I had to do something with it.
What are your favorite parts of quilting? Choosing a pattern.
What are your least favorite parts of quilting? Free-motion quilting or hand quilting, I haven’t tried free motion yet, but I am keen to!
LEARNING TO MAKE MODERN TRIANGLES
When you joined Make Modern Triangles, what did you want to learn or accomplish?
I was SO excited about using freezer paper because I wanted to learn the technique thoroughly and be able to make a quilt that would be SO different from what I’d been exposed to so far in my fairly short journey, which has been traditional – which I also enjoy and has been teaching me so much.
I am so excited about working with triangles because the colours themselves do so much work. My Sparkler quilt (my first Modern Triangle quilt) uses solid fabrics and I am so delighted by the results so far and so excited to see what the finished quilt will be like because it is unique among my projects. I feel as if I’ve been taken for a mystery walk and around every corner there’s something even lovelier than the previous one. I’ve not had expectations as such, but lots and lots of hope and curiosity.
What do you like about quilting with triangles?
I love that it’s so different from traditional quilting. I love that triangles create so much pattern and design possibility and they look so modern.
INSPIRATION
What has quilting taught you about yourself?
I am new (ish) to quilting – I’ve only been doing it for about 18 months. It all came about accidentally when my old machine died and I got a new one – it opened the door into Narnia for me and I have been able to make friends with myself in a completely new way. I didn’t think for a minute I would be able to create in the way that I have been learning to, and I am on the most exciting journey of discovery.
I am developing patience, faith and perseverance, as well as really being deeply nourished by this way of being with myself. It gives me joy and peace, and is also a wonderful way of managing stress and anxiety if there are situations that are beyond my control that would otherwise be eating me up. Focusing on my fabrics and creative process is so enriching and healthy, and so satisfying.
What is your next quilting project?
I’m going to try a scrappy appliqué with Shannon Brinkley.
Where do you find inspiration?
Looking at other quilters’ work, and bouncing off my own accomplishments that lead me to try more things, variations etc.
Cathy’s (GROWING) STASH AND SEWING SPACE
Describe your sewing stash.
Growing…and growing: I’m a serious collector and started adding fabrics to round out my color and print selections.
Describe your sewing space and what you like about it.
My sewing room is my sanctuary. As soon as I walk in that room, the world is a manageable and better place. My threads and bobbins on the wall which are always so cheerful to see. Various small handmade items are on the walls too – some that I’ve made and some that my daughter (a weaver) has made – plus lots of my knitted characters look on to keep patrol of the yarns. I have a lovely big table I found in a charity shop that I use as my cutting and pressing station, and a folding table for my machine and notions etc. I’ll need to rethink that one as my machine is currently on top of a pile of books as I haven’t got the height right yet!
A Quilter’s Life
What is your next quilting project?
I’m going to try a scrappy appliqué with Shannon Brinkley.
What would you like to learn next?
I’m really excited to try free motion quilts and a bit nervous as well!
What interests do you pursue when you’re not quilting?
Swimming. I recently resumed after 3 years of absence from it and have swum a mile a week for the past few weeks! Once I get in the water, I never want to get out! I love reading, and going places with my dog, Molly.
Thank you, Cathy, for sharing your enthusiasm, modern triangle progress and fun projects!
RELATED LINKS: QAL, MAKE MODERN TRIANGLES MEMBER SPOTLIGHT and TUTORIALS
- Member Spotlight: Stephanie A. is having a TA-DA moment
- Susan G. Featured in Member Spotlight
- Week 3: Spooky Summer QAL
- Week 2: Spooky Summer QAL
- Spooky Summer Quilt Along
- Marilyn W. Featured Member in the Spotlight
- Featured Make Modern Triangles Member Karen S.
- Learn more about Make Modern Triangles Membership
- Shirley M. Featured Member Spotlight
- How to Organize Foundation Pieced Quilt Projects
Loved your enthusiasm on trying new things, ideas, and venues.
Especially loved Molly and her birthday hat (?)
Love the quilt with red roses & blue background.
Cathy, Great work for a new(ish) quilter. Love the variety of techniques your learning. Keep learning…
So nice to get to know you Cathy!
Looks like we are on a similar path. I am also a Meander member and newbie quilter. I have also just joined here. Free motion is also on my list but scares me a bit.
You have inspired me to try this!